Game control device



Oct.. 14, 1.958 H, C, FOSTER 2,855,916

GAME CONTROL DEVICE Filed July 50, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f n O p wf 2Oct. 14, 1958 H. c. FOSTER GAME CONTROL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

Filed July 50, 1956 GAME CONTROL 'DEVAICE Harry -Clark Foster, EastAlton, lll., assignor to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, EastAlton, Ill., a corporation of Virginia ,ApplicationJuly 30,1956, SerialNo."6 00, 890

4 Claims. ((1124-32) This invention relates to trap shootingapparatusand more :particularly to apparatus for use in the operationand scoring of the game knownras fskeet shooting.

In this type of shooting twotarget traps are used to throw the disktargets known as clay pigeons. These traps are mounted in suitablehouses on a Skeet field at pointsspaced at a specied distance from oneanother. One ofthe traps is located in what istermed the high house andthe other trap is located in what is called the W house. As these vtermsindicate, the ,trap in thehighhouse is mounted to eject the targets at aspecitied elevation above the point of ejection of the other trapmounted in the `low house near the ground also ejecting-at a specifiedelevation for the purpose ofejecting the targets from these houses .withthe corresponding diierence in elevation. During the course of theshooting contest each contestant takes positions successively at each-ofa series of eight shooting stationswhich are laid off in and around anarc joining the two trap houses. As the shooter at the-respective-positionsof these stations-calls for targets, the targetsare released by an attendant in charge from either one or the other ofthe trap houses or from both of them simultaneously upon call or signgiven the attendant by the (contestant. Since according to the rules ofthe game laid'down by the National Skeet Shooting Association the trapmust be released without fail immediately after but never before thesignal given bythe contestant, .the attendant in charge, heretoforelocated at a xed .control table spaced more than seventy-tive feet fromcertain of the shooting stations, must devote hirnselfentirelytocatching such signals. Elimination of errors in .catching thesesignals and in releasing the traps has `been greatly desired. ln anattempt to minimize misunderstanding of the signals, judging of theresults of the shot `has been heretofore ordinarily done by anotherattendant at additional expense.

One of the objects of this inventionis to vprovide new and improvedmeans for-electrically controlling the `target releasing `traps in thegame of Skeet-shooting.

Another object is to provide controlling means for releasing the targetsfrom a single Ymobileoperating station with improved liaison `betweenthe .contestants and the attendant in charge.

Another object is to provide a skeet control. board wherefrom a singleattendant acting as controllingy operator of the game can both controlthe operation of the traps and judge as Well as keep score withaccuracy, convenience and eiliciency.

lOther objects and advantages -Willfbe apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred-embodiment and the accompanying drawingthereof in which:

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing a `skeet eld layout andalso the control apparatus of this invention together with itscontrolling connections with the skeet field;

'-lFigure =2 isan elevational vview-of this invention Afrom atert2,855,916 Patented. .Osh 14, .19458 2 .the back -Qofthe score boardarranged for right handed operation;

Figure 3 is an elevational-viewfof this invention from .the back.of-.the score board arranged forA left handed operation;

lFigure 4 is aview of the portable electricrelease which is an essentialpart of the control board shown partly in cross section and mounted onthe score board; and

[Figure 5 is a `cross .sectional -view taken on line 5 5 of Figure 4.

In accordance with this .invention there is provided in combination .ascore card support together. withv a target .releasing control devicemounted thereon invsuch a manner as `to permit-both-the manualperformance of the Ascore keeping vfunction as well as the complementarytrap operating-function by the controller without `interference of onefunction with the other. .The device is adapted `for either right handedor left handed operation ywith a minimum of adjustment andrearrangement. .This is accomplished by associating a portable hand griptype of electric release with a portable score card support kthrough theintermediary of a reversible connecting arrangement.

The device will be better understood with referenc to .Figurev l,showing a typical skeet eld and a: wiring diagram therefor, and withfurther reference to the type ofjtarget ythrowing `trap disclosed inrny4 co-pendingpatent application Serial No. :437,191, tiled June 16,1954, for Vwhichthe control wiring diagram shown in Figure l issuitable.

. theswitch. The unit 2.and the lateral connection 3 are adapted whenunit 2 isgrasped in one ofthe hands of thefattendant to provide .thechief support for board `1 leaving theother Vhand of the attendant Afreefor keeping score.

The arrangement .and design is such that the .thumb of the hand graspingswitchunit 2 is free to actuate any one of the release buttons 20, 21arid2.2v on unit 2 for lthe purpose ofrenergizing the release devicesofthe traps located in .theI trap lhouses 109 and 110 at the signal Y.of`the shooter who may be located at `anyone of the shootingstations101,102, 103, 1.04, 105, 1706, 107 and 108. Although three closelypositioned `buttons are shown vas l*the Aswitch `actuators in` thisembodiment, it will V.be understood that two buttons in contiguousside-by-*side.relationship so as to be operable Yeither. separatly'or`infunison .may also be used. Furthermore, a nthree-.operating Vpositiontoggle actuator with a fourth inoperative `position maybe substituted asan equivalent. Whichever form of-switch actuator is employed, it isdesired Ythat each be adapted 'for thumb operation.

The score card supportingboard lis of a desired size, such as 9 inchesby l2 inches, suitable for both the keeping. ofscore. and for-'easyhandling by .the attendantjin control of the game. A board of thissize,r is adapted Vto be supported by one hand aided by itsforearm/acting as afpartial rest VAalong ythe back of the board as shownin vFigure 1. Adjacent a lateral edge of board 1 there is provided aconnecting member 3 adapted forfreversible engagement `with the specialVhandle and yswitch unit 2.`

Reversible yengagement permitsy the device of thisl in vention toA :besuitableA for use by either a right handedy or a left handed attendant.This `Will vbe morereadily understood vbyfreference to Figures 2 and 3withthe details shownin Figures 4 and 5 in mind` Connecting member 3`takes the form `of a -U-shaped suitable fasteners such as 42. The endsof bracket 3 take the form of resilient arms 4` and 5 carryingrespectively trunnions 6 and 7. These trunnions are adapted to lit intoa pair of the four mounting sockets 8, 9, 10' and 11 formed in the endplugs 12, and 13 of the readily grasped housing 19 of the unit 2.

The shape of this unit is an important'featureof the invention. Itsoblong tubular housing 19 is not only hollow but is shaped to form asuitable hand grip or handle `and together with the end plugs 12 and 13completely encloses electrical switch elements which control the releaseof the target traps. Inasmuch as the Yelectrical release unit of thisinvention is to be used outdoors Vthese switch elements 28 and 29 arepreferably of water proof construction, each being completely enclosedin any suitable resilient, water proof, insulating material such asplastic or rubber. Each switch is a snap action type, normally open,single pole switch. For the purpose of mounting them, there is providedfor each a saddle-shaped switch holder such as 25 and 26. Holder 25 ismounted on the oblong housing 19 by means of any suitable fasteners suchas 40 to clamp switch 28 in fixed position within the housing. Holder 26likewise is mounted on the housing 19 by fasteners such as 40 to clampswitch 29 in fixed position within the housing. Each of the holders isprovided with an opening to permit the protruding, pressure-receivingand movable portion of each switch to extend through the holder formovement by the switch operating pressure points or protrusions such as51 and 52 of the switch actuator bars 23 and 24, respectively. Thesebars in turn are mounted preferably by means of a single pivot pin 53passing through both the holders 25 and 26, although a separate pin foreach may be used. One half of pin 53 is mounted in and between theupstanding flanges 55 and 56 of holder 25. Similarly the other half ofpin 53 is mounted by means of the upstanding flanges 57 and 58 of theholder 26. The distal end of each bar is provided with a pair of ridges,the inner of each of which 59 is adapted for being pressed by therespective one of the singles release buttons 20 or 21. The outer ridge60 of each of the bars 23 and 24 is adapted to be acted uponsimultaneously by the doubles release button 22 with increasedrnechanical advantage with some additional leverage to compensate atleast in part for the increased pressure needed for closure of both ofthe switches as compared to one alone. The release buttons 20, 21 and 22are also mounted within the housing but with suitable protrusiontherefrom adjacent one end of the unit 2 to permit manual operation fromthe exterior by means of the thumb of the hand holding the unit.

Either before or during assembly, bars 23 and 24 are adjusted in shapeor position to insure simultaneous operation of'the switches forthrowing doubles. For continued uniformity of operation the bars 23 and24 are otherwise of sufficient rigidity to maintain adjusted shape.Longitudinal corrugations may be provided, if necessary, in these barsfor the purpose of imparting a substantial degree of rigidity where itis not obtainable with the type or thickness of material employed in thebars.

The end plugs 12 and 13 have formed on an exterior surface suitabletrunnion-receiving mounting sockets. It will be understood thatalternately the end plugs of the housing may be each provided with apair of trunnions while the resilient arms are provided with thesockets. Furthermore, other schemes of reversible connection may beemployed such as one using a permanent connection between the end plugsand the arms of a rotatable spring clip or bracket including a suitabledetent arrangement for holding the bracket in one or the other of twoposi-- tions. Such a bracket, for example, would be'one hav ing arotatable rivet type of joint at its midpoint and having embossedprotrusions on each side of the joint of the'board.

The upper plug 12 which is attached to oblong housing 19 by fasteners 41has trunnion-receiving sockets 8 and 9. The lower plug 13 which isattached to housing 19 by fasteners 41 is provided with sockets 10 and11. In addition, lower plug 13 is provided with a central aperture 14for passageway of the end of the control cable 15 into the interior ofthe housing where suitable connections may be made. To take up the endthrust of the cable, a'particularly suitable clamp bushing such as 16 isprovided. This takes the form of a split collar having a substantiallycircumferential flange for bearing against the shoulder formed betweenthe outer portions of aperture 14 and the enlarged inner portion. Underthc fasteners 41, which attach the lower plug 13 to housing 19, thereare provided the clamp bushing screws 17 and 18 for tightening the clamp16 on the end of the cable.

Control cable 15 is of any suitable type. In this embodiment it carriesthree electric conductors namely 30,A 31 and 32, one set of the ends ofwhich are connected within the housing to corresponding lead wires suchas 30a and 32a of switch 28 and 31a and 32b of switch 29 respectively.Externally of unit 2, conductor 30 is connected in any suitable way asan extension to the release control line 157 which together with powerline 156 governs the controlling circuit of the electrically responsiverelease device of the trap located in the high house" 109 (Fig. 1). ln asimilar manner conductor 31 is connected as an extension of thecontrolling line 157a which together with power line 156a governs thecontrolling circuit of the electrically responsive release of the traplocated in the low house 110 (Fig. 1). 32 is connected in junction box160 in common with the return power lines 153 and 153a. Lines 153 and156 provide driving power for the trap of house 109 while lines 153:1and 156a provide the driving power for the other trap. These lines areinsulated from each other and may be conveniently formed as a threeconductor cable such as 111 extending to house 109 or 112 extending tohouse 110. Connection is made to the source of power 154 by means of adouble pole fused disconnect switch 155.

In operation the tirst thing done by an attendant, who

keeps score with his right hand, is to mount the switch unit 2 on theboard 1 by placing the trunnion 7 in the socket 9 and placing trunnion 6in socket 8. This can be readily done because of the resilience of theends 4 and 5 of the bracket or spring clip 3. The resultant `associationof the parts is shown in Figure 2. A left handed operator will reversethe connections so as to place the trunnion 6 of the end 4 in socket 11of plug 13 while placing the trunnion 7 of end 5 into the socket 10 ofplug 12. The resultant association of parts is shown in Figure 3. YWiththe parts thus assembled, the attendant is enabled to both keep scoreand operate the traps in accordance with the signals received as theattendant moves freely with the portable Skeet release device of thisinvention in desired relatively close proximity with the contestantswhom he may follow along or back of the walk 113 which may be providedon the skeet field. The left hand release button 20 serves to close thecircuit of lines 156 and 157 going to the house 109 located on the lefthand side of the iield. The right hand release button 21 controls thecircuit lines 156:1 and 15711 of the house 110 on the right. The middleor doubles release button 22 bears on both actuator bars 23 and 24 andwhen pressed closes both switches 28 and 29 simultaneously to releaseboth traps.

It will be noted that the connection sockets are paired oli adjacent thelateral ends of the plugs 12 and 13y so as to cause the switch unit 2 toextend suflicie'ntly and uniformly from the board 1 to leave enough roomfor The conductor.

convenient grasping and working with either hand without eitherinterference from the board or the control cable. An awkwardlyinsuiicient or excessive extension of unit 2 from board 1 is also thusavoided. The sockets are located symmetrically with respect to thecenterline of the switch unit so as to present equally convenientarrangements to either the right or the left hand of an attendant. Withthe apparatus of this invention the entire game can be controlled by asingle attendant who is enabled to follow the contestants from stationto station for better reception of signals, maintain control over thetraps from any point at all times, and keep score as well.

It is evident that, although two switches are shown in the release unit,three switches may be housed therein with suitable rearrangement of thewiring. It is also evident that suitable field circuits other than thatshown in Figure l may be used.

Since many other embodiments of this invention may occur to thoseskilled in the art it is to be understood that the foregoing is intendedby way of illustration of a preferred embodiment and not as a limitationof the scope of the present invention except as set forth in theappended claims.

What l claim as my invention is:

l. A skeet target trap portable control device adapted to permit asingle eld attendant to move in relatively close proximity with thecontestants for reception'of their signals calling for operation of thetrap and to effect the separate or simultaneous release of said traps inaccordance with said signals for shooting of the released targets and tokeep score while judging the results of said shooting all by means ofsaid device comprising a rectangularly shaped board for supporting ascore lcard, elongated handle means graspable by the fingers of one handof said attendant and containing electric switch means for releasingsaid traps controllable by switch actuator means mounted adjacent oneend of said handle means and protruding therefrom in accessiblerelationship with respect to the thumb of said hand for selectiveoperation without impairment of the grasp ofthe handle, and a U-shapedbracket mounted adjacent a lateral edge of said board releasablyengageable with the remotely spaced ends of said handle in offsetrelationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of said handle means,whereby said board is vmaintained in desired supported relationship byeither the right or the left hand of the attendant, the other hand beingfreefor score keeping on said board.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the bracket has resilient end portionsand wherein the attachment between said clip and handle memberscomprises trunnions on one of said members receivable in correspondingsockets on the other.

3. A skeet target trap portable control device adapted to permit asingle field attendant to move in relatively close proximity with thecontestants for reception of their signals calling for operation of thetrap and to elect the separate or simultaneous release of said traps inaccordance with said signals for shooting of the released targets and tokeep score while judging the results of said shooting all by means ofsaid device comprising a board reversible with respect to its lateraledges for supporting a score card, handle means graspable by the ngersof one hand of said attendant and containing electric switch means forreleasing said traps controllable by switch actuator means mounted inaccessible relationship with respect to a linger of said handforselective operation without impairment of the grasp of the handle,and bracket means mounted adjacent a lateral edge of said boardreleaseably engageable with said handle in reversible relationship withrespect to 4said handle means, whereby said board is maintained indesired supported relationship by either the right or the left hand ofthe attendant, the other hand being free for score keeping on saidboard.

4. The control device of claim 3 wherein the electric switch meanscomprises a pair of normally open trap operating circuit closure means,a pair of closure operating bars movably mounted opposite said closuremeans, each bar being adapted when pushed for closing a correspondingone of said closure means, and at least two push-button means adapted toengage with at least one of said bars and mounted to protrude insufciently close proximity from the handle means so as to be accessibleto one linger manipulation whereby at least one of said bars may bemanually pushed to selectively operate the traps severally and in unisonby a single thrust of said finger.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 1,903,667Band Apr. 11, 1933 2,244,528 Schur June 3, 1941 2,363,854 BierenfeldNov. 28, 1944 2,593,337 OBrien Apr. 15, 1952 2,684,411 Verkuil July 20,1954

